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It is nice to be good, but sometimes it is better to be lucky. And so it went in WB's heavyweight matchup with GB on Friday evening. With some timely hitting, untimely GB errors, strong relief pitching, and help from little boy blue, WB was able to eek out the win. This game was everything it was chalked up to be. Connor Jones started on the mound and was solid for 5 1/3, but GB's pitchers continue to be hurt by middle infield and catcher play. In the catcher's defense, he did pick off a runner at 3rd for the third out of the inning. WB's Bennett didn't have his best stuff, and struggled to stay ahead of the pitch count, falling behind 3-0 against at least 3 batters in 2 innings of work. Dudley and Cody both smashed balls in the first inning, but the wind must have been blowing in and they were caught at the track. But GB's hitters were seeing the ball well and making good contact, and somehow you knew that Bennett was in for a long night. In what turned out to be the coaching decision of the evening, Bennett was pulled after giving up 4 runs in the second. Johnsonbaugh pitched the next five and Brooks closed it out in the 8th, recording his 3rd save of the year. This Brooks kid does it all. Without Brooks' base running, bat, centerfield play and pitching, WB doesn't win this game...oh yeah, that and the muffed called at home plate in the bottom of the 6th.
Overall a great game. GB probably has the best trio of pitchers in the SED with Jones, Jones & Jones (in that order), but they will need improved defensive play from the middle infield and catcher to make another run this year. WB has a lot of young talent, but not sure how deep they are at pitcher. It will be interesting to see who the coach turns to on Tuesday for the NR game. You have to believe he will give Bennett another go.
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